Anza-Borrego desert trail home to oases fanned by palm trees

“Among the tallest of desert trees, they live only where water is close to the surface,” states a placard at the beginning of the trail to the Southwest Grove in Mountain Palm Springs.

“They have survived thousands of years, remnants of times when horses, mastodons and saber-toothed tigers roamed through grasslands and mixed scrub forests. . . . Water and shade attract scores of bird species (as well as) coyotes, raccoons and bighorn sheep.”

I didn't see those bigger forms of wildlife but did spot a couple of beige foot-long lizards that were nearly camouflaged on the desert floor.

As the trail meanders up the canyon wash, you arrive first at Pygmy Grove, where about 50 stunted California fan palms reside. A half-mile further up the canyon, and around another bend, you come upon the impressive Southwest Grove, where nearly 100 palms live tightly together. The water wasn't rushing, but was clearly evident in each of these groves.

Just beyond the Southwest Grove is Torote Bowl, another gathering of fan palms.

I didn't take the north fork trail to the other groves – Surprise Canyon and Palm Bowl, which has 100 palms – but I will another day.

Go explore this landscape to discover another of the county's natural wonders.